Latest news with #Knightsbridge
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Man who burned Koran was attacked and spat at, court told
A man who burned a Koran outside the Turkish Consulate in central London was attacked and spat on by a man who told him not to do so because 'it's my religion', a court heard. Hamit Coskun, 50, shouted 'f*** Islam', 'Islam is religion of terrorism' and 'Koran is burning' as he held the flaming Islamic text aloft outside the Turkish consulate in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London, on February 13, Westminster Magistrates' Court was told. Coskun denies a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour 'within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress', motivated by 'hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam', contrary to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Public Order Act 1986. He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of using disorderly behaviour 'within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress', contrary to section five of the Public Order Act 1986. Further details of a subsequent attack on Coskun can now be reported after a judge dismissed a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) attempt to impose a reporting restriction. Turkey-born Coskun, who is half Kurdish and half Armenian, travelled from his home in the Midlands and set fire to the Koran at around 2pm, the court heard. In footage captured on a mobile phone by a passerby that was shown to the court, a man approached and asked Coskun why he was burning a copy of the Koran. Coskun can be heard making a reference to 'terrorist' and the man called the defendant 'a f****** idiot'. The man approached him allegedly holding a knife or bladed article and appeared to slash out at him, the court heard. The footage appeared to show Coskun back away and use the burning Koran to deflect the attacker, who is alleged to have slashed out at him again. The man chased Coskun, and the defendant stumbled forward and fell to the ground, dropping the Koran, the footage showed. Coskun was spat at and kicked by the man, the court heard. The man said: 'Burning the Koran? It's my religion! You don't burn the Koran.' Coskun sustained an injured finger and was taken to hospital, though it is not clear whether this was caused by the man's kicks, the court heard. The unnamed man is subject to legal proceedings. Katy Thorne KC, defending, said in her closing argument on Thursday: 'We would suggest that there is across history, and indeed now, many people who are hostile to other religions.' Ms Thorne brought up the example of some feminists being hostile to Catholicism, saying it is a 'sacrosanct right that they are entitled to have and express'. She added: 'However offensive Muslims may find the behaviour and beliefs of the defendant, he's entitled to have them, he's entitled to express them.' Ms Thorne said that Coskun felt that he was not acting in a violent way or had been disorderly in front of anyone. She added: 'He was calm, he was calmly with a raised voice saying 'Islam is the religion of terrorism' and then what happened was he was abused and violently attacked.' Prosecutor Philip McGhee said Coskun's argument that he was using the right to protest was a 'shield' for a 'hostility' towards Islam. Coskun had posted on social media that he was protesting against the 'Islamist government' of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who the defendant allegedly said 'has made Turkey a base for radical Islamists and is trying to establish a sharia regime', the prosecutor said. The defendant, who is an atheist, believes that he protested peacefully and burning the Koran amounted to freedom of expression, the court heard. Ahead of his trial, in a quote released through the Free Speech Union, he said: 'Encountering such treatment in a country like England, which I truly believed to be a place where freedom prevailed, was a real shock to me.' His legal fees are being paid for by the Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society (NSS). District Judge John McGarva will pass verdict at the same court on Monday.
Sky News
3 days ago
- General
- Sky News
Convicting man over Koran burning would reintroduce blasphemy law, court told
Convicting a man for burning the Koran would be 'tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law', his defence team has told a court. Hamit Coskun appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday after he allegedly shouted abusive slogans about Islam while burning the holy book outside the Turkish consulate in Knightsbridge, London, on 13 February. The 50-year-old denies a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour and an alternative charge of using disorderly behaviour "within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress". Katy Thorne, defending, said at his trial that the prosecution pursuing the case against Coskun was "seeking to introduce a law unknown to this land, namely blasphemy in relation to Islam". Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales in 2008, with Scotland following suit in 2021. Ms Thorne told the court that burning the Koran "cannot be a criminal offence". "To render such an act a criminal offence is tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law in relation to Islam, rendering the Koran a specially protected object in the UK, where a flag or another book would not be, and rendering trenchant or offensive criticism of Islam a criminal offence, is also akin to reinstating an offence of blasphemy," she said in her written argument. "People must be free to exercise their religious or non-religious beliefs and to manifest those beliefs in whatever non-violent way they choose, and any curtailing by the state of that freedom must be absolutely necessary in a democratic society." She said Coskun "did not exhort hate" to those following Islam, but protested "outside the Turkish Consulate, a political institution, which provided further evidence he was not seeking to persuade others to dislike Islam, but express his personal criticism of Turkey and its stance on Islam". Ms Thorne added: "His protest was specifically political and thus... requires the highest protection of freedom of speech." 'Threat to public order' However, prosecutor Philip McGhee said Coskun was not charged simply for burning the Koran, but for "disorderly conduct". He said prosecuting Coskun did not impact the ability of others to criticise religion. Mr McGhee said Turkey-born Coskun, who is half Kurdish and half Armenian, had deliberately chosen the time and location of his protest, travelling from his home in the Midlands to the consulate to set alight the Koran at around 2pm. "His actions gave rise to a very clear threat to public order and went beyond a legitimate expression of protest, crossing the line to pose a threat to public order," Mr McGhee said. Coskun, an atheist, had said on social media he was demonstrating against the "Islamist government" of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who he said had "made Turkey a base for radical Islamists and is trying to establish a sharia regime", prosecutors said. The defendant's legal fees are being paid for by the Free Speech Union (FSU) and the National Secular Society (NSS). The FSU said it was defending Coskun "not because we're anti-Islam, but because we believe no one should be compelled to observe the blasphemy codes of any religion, whether Christian or Muslim". Stephen Evans, chief executive of the NSS, added: "A successful prosecution in this case could represent the effective criminalisation of damaging a Koran in public, edging us dangerously close to a prohibition on blasphemy." The trial, which is expected to last a day, continues.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Britain risks 'reintroducing a blasphemy law' by prosecuting man, 50, who allegedly shouted 'f*** Islam' as he burned Koran outside Turkish consulate, court hears
The prosecution of a man who allegedly burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London risks 'reintroducing a blasphemy law' in the UK, a court heard today. Hamit Coskun, 50, allegedly shouted 'f*** Islam', 'Islam is religion of terrorism' and Koran is burning' as he held the flaming Muslim holy book aloft in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, on February 13. He pleaded not guilty to a religiously aggravated public order offence of using disorderly behaviour motivated by 'hostility towards members of a religious group, namely followers of Islam' and also denied an alternative charge of using disorderly behaviour. Turkey-born Coskun, who is half Kurdish and half Armenian, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today for his trial wearing a charcoal hoodie, dark trousers and white trainers. He travelled from his home in the Midlands on February 13 and set fire to the Koran at around 2pm, the court heard. He allegedly shouted 'f*** Islam', 'Islam is religion of terrorism' and Koran is burning' as he held the flaming Muslim holy book aloft in Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, on February 13. Coskun had posted on social media that he was protesting against the 'Islamist government' of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan who the defendant allegedly said 'has made Turkey a base for radical Islamists and is trying to establish a sharia regime'. Katy Thorne KC, defending, said: 'The prosecution, in bringing this prosecution at all, is seeking to introduce a law unknown to this land, namely blasphemy in relation to Islam.' Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021. Ms Thorne said that burning the Koran 'cannot be a criminal offence' and accused the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) of an abuse of process in its decision to bring the case against Coskun. She said in her written argument: 'To render such an act a criminal offence is tantamount to reintroducing a blasphemy law in relation to Islam, rendering the Koran a specially protected object in the UK, where a flag or another book would not be, and rendering trenchant or offensive criticism of Islam a criminal offence, is also akin to reinstating an offence of blasphemy. 'People must be free to exercise their religious or non-religious beliefs and to manifest those beliefs in whatever non-violent way they choose, and any curtailing by the state of that freedom must be absolutely necessary in a democratic society.' Ms Thorne said that Coskun 'did not exhort hate' but voiced his dislike and frustration with a religion. She added: 'He expressed nothing to suggest that he was hostile to those who followed Islam. 'He did so outside the Turkish Consulate, a political institution, which provides further evidence he was not seeking to persuade others to dislike Islam, but express his personal criticism of Turkey and its stance on Islam. 'His protest was specifically political and thus, it is submitted, requires the highest protection of freedom of speech.' Prosecutor Philip McGhee said that Coskun was not being prosecuted simply for the burning of the Koran, but for 'disorderly conduct'. Mr McGhee said of Ms Thorne's argument: 'There is simply no misconduct in this case.' District Judge John McGarva ruled that there was no abuse of process and dismissed the application. Mr McGhee added that the decision to prosecute does not affect the ability of others to criticise religion. The prosecutor had earlier said that Coskun had deliberately chosen the time and location of his demonstration. 'His actions gave rise to a very clear threat to public order and went beyond a legitimate expression of protest, crossing the line to pose a threat to public order,' he told the court. But Coskun, who is an atheist, believes that he protested peacefully and burning the amounted to freedom of expression. Ahead of his trial, in a quote released through the Free Speech Union, he said: 'Encountering such treatment in a country like England, which I truly believed to be a place where freedom prevailed, was a real shock to me.' His legal fees are being paid for by the Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society (NSS). The Free Speech Union said it is defending him 'not because we're anti-Islam, but because we believe no one should be compelled to observe the blasphemy codes of any religion, whether Christian or Muslim'. It said Coskun is an asylum seeker who fled Turkey, having been a political prisoner for almost a decade, who 'thought he was coming to a democratic country where he would be free to peacefully protest about a particular religion'. Lord Young of Acton, general secretary of the organisation, added: 'The rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression are sacrosanct and should not be disregarded because of fears about inflaming community tensions in a multicultural society.' Stephen Evans, chief executive of the NSS said: 'A successful prosecution in this case could represent the effective criminalisation of damaging a Koran in public, edging us dangerously close to a prohibition on blasphemy. 'The case also highlights the alarming use of public order laws to curtail our collective right to protest and free speech based on the subjective reactions of others. 'Establishing a right not to be offended threatens the very foundation of free expression.' A spokesperson for Humanists UK said that a successful prosecution would 'effectively resurrect the crime of blasphemy in England and Wales - 17 years after its abolition'. They added: 'This reintroduction of blasphemy by the back door would have profound consequences, not only for free expression in the UK but for the safety and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of so-called 'apostates' in the UK and their right to freedom of thought and conscience.' The trial, which is due to last one-day, continues.
Ammon
4 days ago
- Business
- Ammon
Jordan's Role in the Age of Economic Empires and Political Extremes
In today's post-COVID world, governments are no longer content with slow reform and bureaucratic red tape. They're acting like conglomerates by chasing market share, competing for talent and launching bold national strategies with ambitious KPIs. It is now evident that the global game has changed. Economic visions are now the new battlegrounds. And the countries that are winning are the ones thinking really big. But as we think economically, we must not ignore the political current. The world is not just reshaping itself through growth, but it is doing so under rising ideological pressure. In Israel, Netanyahu's far-right government continues to entrench apartheid, criminalize dissent, and destabilize the region. In Germany, the opposition is now led by a woman whose views echo Europe's fascist past, and it is apparent that she is gaining real ground in mainstream politics. In the United States, President Trump's comeback is coupled with policies that many see as authoritarian, despite being wrapped in economic populism. The danger here is subtle but serious… Some countries are building through vision while others are consolidating through fear. Case Studies in Boldness: Power Plays Spanning From the Gulf to Global Markets Take India, for example. The world's most populous country is aiming to become a $5 trillion economy in the next few years. Its 'Digital India' and 'Make in India' initiatives have turned governance into a tech-driven enterprise. From a homegrown Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system to the aggressive pursuit of semiconductor independence, India is digitizing, decentralizing, and dreaming on a scale we used to think only Silicon Valley could. Then there's Indonesia. Jakarta, which has long been one of the world's most congested capitals, is being replaced altogether! The government is building an entirely new capital city called Nusantara from scratch. The $34 billion smart city is one of the most ambitious urban projects of our time, and while its final phase may only be complete in 2045, Indonesia is saying to the world 'We're not afraid to start over to move forward', which is very respectable. Saudi Arabia and The Emirates are now in open competition with one another and with the rest of the world. It's no longer just about skyscrapers and luxury malls. It's about who can attract the next 1,000 regional headquarters, who can win the AI arms race, and who can dominate logistics, trade, and tourism. Qatar, once focused on Knightsbridge real estate, is now diversifying its global assets. The country has moved beyond London and into other markets. Just four days ago, China approved the Qatar Sovereign Wealth Fund's request to purchase a 10% stake in its second largest mutual fund company. Even China, now with a per capita GDP surpassing $10,000, is in a stage of exponential ascent. Fifty years ago, that was where the U.S. stood. Today, Beijing is building ports, highways, and digital infrastructure across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Belt and Road isn't just a slogan, it's a full-blown strategy. And then there's the United States, where Trump and company are reorganizing America around economic firepower: tariffs, crypto regulation, manufacturing repatriation, and an unapologetic 'America First' doctrine that still shapes global markets. Everywhere you look, countries are making bold, strategic moves to secure their place in the 21st century. Jordan, too, has begun to stir. In Aqaba, strategic partnerships with Abu Dhabi are being revived. Marsa Zayed is back on the radar. Major tenders are being issued for logistics, energy, and infrastructure. It seems like every month ADC and ASEZA are making announcements or decisions that are meant to attract foreign investments. In Tafilah, the government just announced extraordinary investment incentives including 50% discounts on land, and free electricity for three years to new investors. But let's be clear: these are early signals. What Jordan needs now is a full-throttle pivot. It's time for Jordan to make power plays. Jordan doesn't need to imitate the Gulf or any other '2030 vision' for that matter. Jordan needs to chart its own course; one that is smart, self-reliant, and future-proof. There's never going to be a better time for a bold power move; revolutionary even. Jordan must conceptualize, create and implement a plan that turns its problems into opportunities. For instance, Southern Jordan is ideal for large-scale data centers since there is a stable geology, low humidity, affordable land and an abundance of sunlight year-round for energy requirements. Also, AI training and coding academies should become national priorities, turning youth into creative digital talent ready to export tools and apps for the rest of the world to use. Jordan must utilize all these ideas to build around existing platforms, such as the submarine fiber optic cables that are an integral part of the global internet backbone. The Jordanian government is already offering incentives in different economic zones around the kingdom, but now is the time to scale up. There must be incentives on a scale big enough to attract global giants like Google and NVIDIA to come over and form strategic partnerships with the private sector in Jordan- and this needs to be facilitated by the government. Will Jordan remain risk-averse and dependent? Or will it take its place among the daring? Jordan has a young, talented population. A strategic location. Political stability in a region addicted to chaos. The only things missing are scale, and the courage to chase it. Let Jordan industrialize. Let Jordan digitize. Let Jordan empower its youth, not with slogans or public-sector wages, but with private-sector salaries befitting of their talents.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Harvey Nicholas could scrap its luxury hampers in bid to cut costs
Harvey Nichols could scrap its luxury hampers and own-brand food as part of a major restructuring plan to save money. Around 70 roles, representing 5 per cent of the luxury retailer's 1,400-strong workforce, are at risk as the company launches a three-year turnaround programme. The overhaul, led by CEO Julia Goddard, aims to restore profitability by focusing on core offerings. The department store is considering significant changes to its business model, including potentially discontinuing its own-brand food products, hampers, and corporate food services. Its online food marketplace is also under review. These potential cuts are part of a broader strategy to sharpen the company's focus on fashion, beauty, and hospitality. Goddard, who took the helm last year, is spearheading the effort to improve the retailer's financial performance. The company has initiated consultations with staff regarding the proposed restructuring. Harvey Nichols said it has secured a raft of new fashion brands and is pushing forward with a major refurbishment of its Knightsbridge store to attract more customers. A company spokeswoman said: 'Harvey Nichols is undergoing a significant transformation to re-establish the brand as a British icon and flagship destination. 'As part of this transformation, we have already secured 75 new fashion brands for 2025. 'In line with this strategy and the focus on our core fashion and beauty edit, we are putting forward proposals regarding the non-core areas of our business and the restructuring of some of our teams. 'We are committed to supporting all affected employees through this transition and ensuring the long-term success of our business.'
